Evacuation

CHAPTER TWO

TOM’s Ship, Earth orbit

Two hours later in TOM’s spaceship, Bethany Anne regarded the Russian through the glass. She had walked the Etheric from the Polarus to the base, grabbed Boris, and she and Ashur traveled to the ship. She prepped Boris and stuck him in the medical pod, while TOM explained the settings to use.

TOM spoke up, The pod has analyzed the nanites in his blood and found them to be similar to the type found in all Wechselbalg. However, their programming differs significantly from that base, altered beyond what would be required for the different form he can take. I can understand no clear reason for that.

Bethany Anne started pacing in the room, as TOM continued.

It seems that these nanites are more similar in programing to what I had on my ship and injected into Michael. There are two significant differences. The first is that his Etheric draw is stronger than others we have tested. This would probably cause a female so modified to be more fertile rather than less like that of most Weres that we know about so far. The second difference is a form of coercion control that is paused, but still present. The Pod will modify and destroy that programming. His genetic makeup is remarkably close to the original genotype these nanites were designed to support. I posit that this may account for his extended age. It may be that he was born with the nanites in his mother’s system, which would have meant less potential for damage and less need for extensive modifications than if he were already born.

How long until he comes out of the Pod, TOM?

About ten more minutes. He had a significant Etheric balance before he went in that has aided the healing process. However, the pod has still not identified what may have caused the initial damage. After he has come out, may I route the information to ADAM to receive his opinion?

Sure, but how about we ask him? Maybe it has happened before. He would be capable of healing from this damage, right?

Yes, Bethany Anne. His Etheric charge, so to speak, helped significantly reduce the time required.

Boris woke up. He was trapped in a bubble of metal. He took a couple of deep breaths to calm down and remember what had been happening. He had been taking on a group of mercenaries. Playing with them, really. Then the pain in his head had grown terribly, and he had… lost it.

For the first time in a century or more, he had succumbed to blind rage and couldn’t remember anything but bits and pieces of…well, bits and pieces. He cursed at himself in Russian before realizing he was doing it without pain… Pain that had been a constant companion for so long.

He relaxed in the Pod and closed his eyes, reveling in the painless quiet bliss he hadn’t known for at least a year.

The cylinder popped open. He winced as the headache came back. He blinked several times as his eyes fought to focus against bright light. When they focused, he saw a woman he did not know. She was a great beauty. He thought that she must be the one that Michael referred to, this Bethany Anne. She was worthy by poise and grace to be a Czarina.

Boris looked down and realized he was naked, and blushed. “Do you have some clothes I can vear?” He asked as he covered himself with his hands. Bethany Anne smiled and pointed to a bench next to the wall. It was a small, but lovely smile, shadowed by pain and loss.

As he got dressed, Bethany Anne asked “Why did you come to America? And on such a risky enterprise. Surely you knew Michael was awake, and if he found your involvement, he might have killed you.”

Boris zipped the pants up and put on a belt while thinking of his answer. Finally, he shrugged “It was better than losing my control at home and killing my own people, da? Someone would have come after me, and these damned headaches have been getting worse. When I saw what was on the news, it occurred to me that this new technology might be the cause. I needed to find out what was going on! I figured there were three options, and one of them left me alive, so I went vith that plan. I fail to see any stupidity in that.”

“Besides, I have helped. You put me in that cell da? Why you let me out if you tink I a danger to you?”

Bethany Anne was exasperated. “I know your English is better than that Boris. Knock it off. I’ve spoken with Stephen and with Michael’s death, I have little patience for games right now.”

Boris froze, and then two great tears formed in his eyes. He bowed his head, “I am sorry, Czarina. Michael could be a harsh man, could be a dangerous man, but he was a great man. In the short time since I was re-acquainted with him, I saw the joy his love, whom I must assume is you, had brought him.” He said in a polished, nearly accent-less English. Bethany Anne nodded and pursed her lips.

“But,” he paused to massage his temples, “These headaches are wearing on me. I can only assume that they are somewhat related to the new technology you have created?”

Bethany Anne said, “Perhaps we should go down and tell the tale to everyone.”

“Ashur,” she spoke aloud, and Boris raised his eyebrows at the size of the white German Shepherd that walked into the room. “We will get a small team together, Boris. Let me take you back to the Polarus and pull in a few people. We need to stay away from Colorado right now.”

Ashur came up to Bethany Anne, who grabbed him in one hand and put a hand on Boris’s shoulder and then took a small step into the Polarus. Boris collapsed onto her dressing room floor, grabbing his head in pain.

Fucking shit! Bethany Anne yelled, What the hell, TOM?

With a groan of pain, Boris took his hands away from his ears, his right hand filled with blood.

TOM, does this give you an idea of what happened? He seems to react badly to my stepping through the Etheric.

I can posit a theory, that he is sensitive to the Etheric in a different way than Barnabas. I will need ADAM to run through his vital statistics from the medical pod to confirm.

If he is, is there some way you can stop his headaches? He had to be either a gottverdam idiot or desperate to run the risk he did for information. He doesn’t seem stupid, so I’ll go with desperate.

I will have to see what ADAM and I can determine. I have too little data at this time to be assured we can cure his headaches without permanent damage. I’ll get back to you.

It took Bethany Anne and Ashur fifteen minutes to grab those she wanted. John, Frank, Nathan, Ecaterina, Barnabas, and Gabrielle joined them in the conference room as Boris was still muzzily shaking his head, trying to release the lingering pain. Ashur dropped to the floor behind her chair, next to the wall.

The others took seats watching Boris.

Stephen opened the conversation. “Boris, what were you doing in the US? I think we’d all like to know. The real reason, not the mercenary contract. I am satisfied that you didn’t know the target. If you had, you would have tried to contact Michael yourself."

Boris nodded somberly, “That is the problem with secrets, sometimes allies unintentionally act against you. I came to the US to investigate the technology that was sending things into space. I had a theory that it might be related to the constant headaches that are slowly driving me over the edge.” He paused and looked at Bethany Anne. “I have a new theory. Might it be that you stepped closer to Siberia several months ago? In early May?"

Bethany Anne pursed her lips, “Yes, I did."

TOM spoke from one of the speakers in the room, “While you may have exacerbated the problem, Bethany Anne, I doubt that you have been the sole source. Some of it was undoubtedly caused by Kamiko Kana. Plus, Boris may be sensitive enough that the Etheric draw of the engines affects him, according to the data from the medical pod.”

Sending privately to Bethany Anne, TOM added, There is a way to fix the problem. However, it will likely leave him still able to sense changes in the Etheric. The other pathways may permanently change his brain in an unpredictable manner. Removing memories or shifting personality. Further, he has the potential to draw on the Etheric while in human form, possibly to the same extent as Gabrielle.

Of course, we should… oh. Hmm, I guess we don’t really know enough about him do we.

Bethany Anne said, “TOM, get with ADAM and see if you can find a way to cure the headaches."

Frank asked, “I’m curious. Stephen mentioned a town in Siberia where you protect the residents?"

Boris nodded “Da. I am a Pack leader in Siberia. You must understand, with the wide spaces and size of Russia there is no Pack Council, just packs. And it is worth a non-alpha’s life to move across territories without permission."

"But the town and its people?” Boris took a moment to stare while focusing on nothing, tears appeared in his eyes. “I protect them because of an oath I swore to my love before the predatel’skaya negodyay Reds had her executed. I swore I would save as many White Russians from the State as possible. I did, with the help of some Cossacks, I also aid and defend. This is where most of those I shield come from, their descendants.”

Boris stopped staring into nothing and brought his attention back to those around the table, “The rest are pack. I protect them to honor her memory. ’Tis all I have left.” He was silent and contemplative, while Stephen swept the room with his eyes and gave a sharp nod, confirming the story.

Boris continued, “I worked as a mercenary after the war to build up the necessary infrastructure. Also, to send the brightest away for a better education than would be possible in central Russia. Our town is viewed with suspicion by many outside Siberia. Inside Siberia, everyone is descended from prestupniki, criminals of one sort or another, so no-one judges another."

He laid two large hands on the table in front of everyone, “I am bound to them by blood oath and heart oath. I cannot in good conscience swear such an oath to you. I would, to honor Michael and the changes you started in him, swear an oath to aid you in any way I can that is not prevented by my previous promise.” He clasped his fist to his breast. Then he said, “Do you have a knife, Czarina?"

Bethany Anne blinked and then turned to Stephen with a raised eyebrow in question, choosing not to read Boris’ mind at this juncture as it just felt…wrong.

Stephen smiled. “He wants to swear his oath in the way that his mother taught him.” Bethany Anne turned towards the door, “John?”

John stepped into the room and unclasped his Bowie, handing it to Bethany Anne hilt first. As she turned Boris started to stand before going to his knees, eyes shut in pain.

“What the hell?” she asked.

ADAM? TOM?

>>The Ad Aeternitatem just sent up four Pods for an outer defense.<<

“Fucking shit.” Bethany Anne spoke, “Four Pods just lifted from the Ad Aeternitatem. I’ll have them stop that unless an emergency calls for it.”

>>Understood.<<

"Gott Verdamnt!”

TOM, please tell me we can fix that?

Tom replied while Boris recovered, ADAM and I have found a solution to the source of the headaches. It will require around two hours in the medical pod.

Bethany Anne walked around the table holding the Bowie, “Well Boris, I guess after one more trip, we should have a solution for your headaches."

Boris shook his head to clear it and stood up beside her. He held out his hand, palm up and indicated she was to slice his hand with the knife, which she did quickly and without any fanfare.

Boris held a slight grimace from his face, the Bowie was silver. His English was good, but his Russian accent was very pronounced during his oath, “By my blood on your blade, in memory of Michael, I swear service as I am able to you."

Bethany Anne sliced her own palm, “In honor, I keep your vows as mine. In memory of loves lost, I will protect your people as my own."

Boris froze for a moment and looked at Stephen, his incredulous eyes seeking confirmation.

"Yes, Boris. She means it,” was Stephen’s simple response.

He took one knee before Bethany Anne, “On this world, my service is yours."

"Oh knock it off, you big bear.” Bethany Anne said as she nodded to John and tossed him the knife. “Let’s get you back into the Pod so TOM can fix you.” She reached out a hand as Ashur stepped up beside her, “Mind the first step, it hurts like a bitch.”

The three disappeared.